Dog sharing bed

lulu1

What are your views of your dog sharing your bed at night Our Bicon sleeps in our bed. I know most people think this is terrible and wouldn't even let their dog into their bedroom.

nuckeythompson

terrible idea, the headache you will have trying to get rid of him from your bed after he gets used to it. must be awkward regards to sex life

lulu1

nuckeythompson wrote: »

terrible idea, the headache you will have trying to get rid of him from your bed after he gets used to it. must be awkward regards to sex life

Will never get rid of him now he's in too long

There are ways and means around the sex life Where there's a will there's a way

nuckeythompson

basically the dog is in control. He has his own way. Never too late it just requires more effort. Letting an animal into your bed is the lazy easy option. I did this with my dog but when I started going out with someone it became a problem. It's also not health having a dog in the bed. it took a long time to get him used to going to his bed without barking or scratching doors. worth it in the end

VonVix

It is really a personal preference. There's nothing bad about it unless it annoys you. My two dogs sleep on my bed and they are equal to the size of one human when put end to end with each other! But I know when I get dog no. 3 I need to possibly change the sleeping arrangements as there won't be room for three of them plus my partner!

Lau2976

Having done both, I would never want to sleep without my dog in the bed. She's very clean and I change my sheets regularly so no issues there either. Afaik it hasn't affected my health in he slightest either.

She makes me feel much safer when she's there.

belongtojazz

nuckeythompson wrote: »

basically the dog is in control. He has his own way. Never too late it just requires more effort. Letting an animal into your bed is the lazy easy option. I did this with my dog but when I started going out with someone it became a problem. It's also not health having a dog in the bed. it took a long time to get him used to going to his bed without barking or scratching doors. worth it in the end

it is not lazy, nor is it unhealthy to have a dog in your bed in my opinion. My eldest slept with me for years, I decided then to train her to sleep downstairs (took about 3 nights) and now she sleeps downstairs most of the time but I bring her up sometimes.

OP it is entirely up to you, if you are all happy who are we to judge

paulmclaughlin

VonVix wrote: »

But I know when I get dog no. 3 I need to possibly change the sleeping arrangements as there won't be room for three of them plus my partner!

Your partner will have to be taught to sleep in the utility room! :pac:

VonVix

paulmclaughlin wrote: »

Your partner will have to be taught to sleep in the utility room! :pac:

My utility room already looks like Maxizoo.

lulu1

paulmclaughlin wrote: »

Your partner will have to be taught to sleep in the utility room! :pac:

Best place for them

borderlinemeath

nuckeythompson wrote: »

basically the dog is in control. He has his own way.

Not at all, if the owners preference is to have their dog sleep in their bed then it's their choice. It's comforting for some owners and it's absolutely a comfort for the dog, who thrives on the company of their owner. It's not about control, and to subscribe to the theory that a dog needs to have "control" is harking back to the debunked dominance theory which applied to captive wolves, not dogs.

Never too late it just requires more effort. Letting an animal into your bed is the lazy easy option. I did this with my dog but when I started going out with someone it became a problem. It's also not health having a dog in the bed. it took a long time to get him used to going to his bed without barking or scratching doors. worth it in the end

Again, not lazy, but a comfort to both animal and owner. Health issues are negligible, very few diseases that a dog carries are zoonotic, apart from parasites (which are easily treated by regular worming and flea treatments if necessary), whereas if you share a bed with a human you are far more likely to pick up the germs they are carrying. Think stomach bugs, colds, sore throats etc.

It's not that hard at all to get a dog trained to get out of your bed, our dogs are more than happy to come in for a cuddle before bedtime, then out to their own beds for a treat, then back in for a morning cuddle. If one of us is away then they stay in the bed (because there's room!) and they know that if the two of us are there then it's back to normal. It's all about making a positive association with their own bed and they'll be perfectly happy.

lulu1

I know some dogs like to be in control but and refuse to leave the bed but I know if we really wanted we could have him sleeping in his own bed in no time. It's just a bit awkward when friends ask where dose he sleep. I would tend to hum and haw but hubby tells them straight out. You can see their reaction straight away.

jupiterjack

I really don't see any issue with dogs sharing your bed. My Rottie will be four in May and has shared my bed since she was eight weeks.

sdp

My chap has his own bed in bedroom, and one in sitting room,:o He jumps up on bed for cuddle and a heat ( great for these cold nights for us ) and then on his own accord goes to his own bed, back up again at 4.45 for five mins cuddles before get up and go for walk. I think its up to owner and your relationship with your dog,

borderlinemeath

lulu1 wrote: »

I know some dogs like to be in control but and refuse to leave the bed but I know if we really wanted we could have him sleeping in his own bed in no time. It's just a bit awkward when friends ask where dose he sleep. I would tend to hum and haw but hubby tells them straight out. You can see their reaction straight away.

Does it bother you what other people think? It's your life and if you're happy with the arrangement then other peoples opinions shouldn't matter. A lot of Irish people have quite a myopic view of dogs, that they shouldn't be indoors full stop :mad:. All well and good if they're happy enough to spend quality time with them outdoors, but many are left languishing alone in back gardens day after day.

Again, and I don't want to harp on about it but dogs really don't want to be in "control". It's suggesting something entirely different to the human/canine relationship to say the dog wants to be in control. A dog is completely dependent on his human owner and as such wants to spend as much time as possible in their company, they don't want to take over the world! A lot of people don't put the effort into training dogs as puppies, and in particular, a pup not spending any alone time can lead to separation anxiety - the behaviours exhibited by sufferers can range from continuous barking and whining, to destruction, soiling and defecation to self harm by the dog, but a lot of people will not recognise the symptoms and put the blame on the dog for being bold and trying to get their own way. While the dog is really suffering from anxiety, the only thing they are trying to control is their stress levels.

maggiepip

Our 3 sleep in the bed, we actually have the bed extended with a second bed to give a giant sized bed but you still find them snuggled right up to you by morning.!

AlanS181824

My dog sleeps in my bed in fact I'm not sure she's ever slept through the night in her own!

Granted she's a tiny little Jack Russell but it'd be the same if she were a Great Dane I'm sure, they love their comfort! :pac:

lazeedaisy

You are asking for trouble asking such a question here to be honest,

We got a super king bed to facilitate our 3 but the oldest is now too old for the stairs.

One sleeps on the floor in hs own dog bet, the other loves the heat and crawls under the duvet when cold.

AlanS181824

lazeedaisy wrote: »

You are asking for trouble asking such a question here to be honest,

We got a super king bed to facilitate our 3 but the oldest is now too old for the stairs.

One sleeps on the floor in hs own dog bet, the other loves the heat and crawls under the duvet when cold.

Ali crawls underneath the duvet too! It honestly still makes me wonder sometimes how she can breathe under there.

They love being close to their humans so I really don't see the issue.

When you love your furbaby like a lot of people do on here then what's the issue?

Now if you'd excuse me I have to get up while my doggie is under the duvet all warm and snug!:rolleyes:

Layinghen

What??????? Dogs aren't meant to share a bed with their humans:eek::eek::eek: I have a Jack Russell here who obviously didn't get that memo:D:D

Tranceypoo

lulu1 wrote:

I know some dogs like to be in control but and refuse to leave the bed but I know if we really wanted we could have him sleeping in his own bed in no time. It's just a bit awkward when friends ask where dose he sleep. I would tend to hum and haw but hubby tells them straight out. You can see their reaction straight away.

who cares what other people think though? it's your choice. My dog always slept on my bed in my old house even when I met my now husband and he didn't mind (that's why I married him!) The house we live in now has an upstairs and the older dog can't manage them so the younger dog doesn't come up either as that wouldn't be fair, however if it was up to me I'd have them both on the bed with us every night I miss them!

mags16

2 years ago my we thought our elderly dog was dying and we started bringing her to our bed at night just in case anything happened. Guess what, she didn't die!!! We've only just managed to get her out of the bed, though she sleeps still in the bedroom. I sleep much better without her in the bed, no dog hairs, no muddy paws, no small animal virtually pushing you out of the bed, everybody is happier (though she probably would have something to say about that!)

bluecherry74

I share my bed with two medium/large sized dogs. One sleeps stretched out with her back resting against me and the other likes to curl up beside my head share my pillow.

There's usually at least one cat on the bed as well, two if it's very cold. One sleeps on my lap and the other crawls under the covers and nestles in the crook of my arm.

I've learnt not to move about much at night.

mel.b

Cooper has never once walked up the stairs so I just share the bed with the cat. If I had a bed downstairs though it would probably be a different story it's nice for the cat though - he has from about the 4step upwards as all of his safe territory...I think if Cooper leant to climb the stairs Puss would pack his bags and leave!

cocker5

OP,

Do you actually care what people think? it’s your home it your own dynamics!

I couldn’t give a toss what people think of my family… the three of us, two adults and a cocker! we’re six years married and no kids so they already think we’re odd anyway!

My guy sleeps 99% of the time downstairs, he has free rein between the living room ad his bed in the kitchen, it’s his choice.

BUT given half the opportunity he would def. come up to our bed. He LOVES it up there.

We do let him up the odd time, if there’s fireworks, if he’s unwell or if my other half is away etc.
I’d have no problem with him up every night buy the other half says no (kill joy) as our guy snores REALLY loudly… and he loves to spoon, so you’re stuck in the one position each night!

Forget what other people think… it’s your lives, your way – stuff their opinions

sillysmiles

I have slept for one night with our cat on the foot of our bed because there was a non-cat friendly dog in the kitchen (where she normally sleeps. Worst sleep ever. Everytime I moved my feet she meowed and "gave out".

Everyone has different standards of what they expect/allow their dogs/cats to do. I think when you are in someone else's house its important to respect their wishes but in your house it really only matters what you and your partner (if there is one) think.

tk123

I had to go over to ikea last week to get the lightest quilt they have (€5 for 4tog) because Lucy has me roasted every night!

Gael23

He never slept on any of our beds but he sometimes snooze there for an hour or so. Towards the end of his life he wasn't able to jump up so it stopped. He did spend 7 years on the floor of my parents bedroom at night

VickieVexed

Our older girl can't jump on the bed anymore,but has a duvet right beside it, as has the small man. He's a JR, but thinks he's a rottie. If he's feeling generous, he will jump into the bed with us...and I miss him if he's not there, he's my cuddle blanky. He loves heat and buries himself under my arm.
As for what anybody else thinks, I don't comment on their bedroom habits, they should not comment on mine.

eezipc

Delighted to read this. We have a springer spaniel who sleeps on the right side of the bed on top of the duvet, I'm in the middle and wife is on the other side. We also have 4 cats on the bottom of the bed.
Its a full bed these cold nights. But once the nights get warmer the animals will sleep in their own beds.

Ihatecuddles

My husband won't let ours sleep in the bed with us I would love to have them up! They sleep in the kitchen

Rips

I probably wouldn't have a dog 'in' the bed, but maybe on the bed, if I had a big enough bed. No problems having the cat in the bed though, no different to a furry hot bottle. :pac:

My dog wouldn't like the bed anyway, he'd be too warm. Given free rein he sleeps on the coldest piece of floor in the house, marble tile at the foot of the stair/front door.

I guess also the reason the cat is allowed to sleep in the bed is because he is an indoor cat and very clean, minimal shed. You would find a nail cast in the bed or a whisker before you would find a hair. That and the 'business time' radar means he can stay.

Dogs to my sensibilities are 'smellier', no matter how clean. I dislike the smell of Bichon's and other coats with tight curled hair. To me its a strong smell, even if its not necessarily a bad smell.

I remember having reservations when the cat first started sleeping in the bed as he wasn't in a settled routine and I didn't want the cat to set the routine (such as being active at night and waking us up early) If I wanted to live with that, I'd have children.

He settled into a flexible routine that we set though with some conditioning, such as not feeding first thing in the morning etc
He goes to bed (and sleeps) when we do.

I imagine most dogs are up as soon as someone is awake, whereas the cat is evil and will sleep in in smug treachery with whoever is so lucky.

lulu1

My husband just lifts our dog out of the bed in the morning about 6.30 and takes him for a walk. When he comes back the dog will come back into the bed until whatever time I decide to get up. When the weather starts to get better I leave the front door open and he will lay there all day

kylith

Mine won't go near my room because they associate going upstairs with the B.A.T.H. Though I'm thinking of bringing Tegan up for a few nights after her operation on Friday, so her stitches don't get nibbled on in the night.

If you're ok with hairy sheets I don't see anything wrong with having your dog in bed with you.

lulu1

kylith wrote: »

Mine won't go near my room because they associate going upstairs with the B.A.T.H. Though I'm thinking of bringing Tegan up for a few nights after her operation on Friday, so her stitches don't get nibbled on in the night.

If you're ok with hairy sheets I don't see anything wrong with having your dog in bed with you.

He dosent cast hairs and just lies on top of the duvet at the bottom of the bed. Hope Tegan's op goes ok on Friday.

ShaShaBear

My Shadow slept in bed beside me from he was 6 weeks old right up until the night before we had him put to sleep almost 11 years later
Unfortunately Opie isn't ready for bed sleeping as he only sleeps for a few minutes and then jumps up to lick our faces, but as soon as he calms we'll probably let him up there too. Any foster dogs I've ever had I took into bed with me, and when we sit for my MIL, her dog sleeps in our bed too.

Dogs don't feel in control when they sleep in bed with you, they feel safe, warm and included

SingItOut

I sometimes let my two sleep in my bed and have never had any problems with either of them getting pushy or disobedient when asked to get off the bed, that said they both give me the puppy eyes when doing so I'd have no problem letting them sleep on my bed every night except the collie takes up the whole bed and i have a double bed! she wants to be close to me and has to lie her head on my chest or shoulder, the terrier sleeps at the bottom and likes her space. They both shed which is something i don't like on the sheets under the duvet but that comes with having dogs. They sleep in the kitchen every other night, I certainly wouldn't care what other people thought about my dogs sleeping in my bed.

SingItOut

kylith wrote: »

Mine won't go near my room because they associate going upstairs with the B.A.T.H.

My terrier won't go near the bathroom at all and even does a runner when she sees anyone holding a towel

madmaggie

My girl sleeps in her own house, and prefers to be there. She howled when I wanted her to sleep in the kitchen, and ran out straight into her house. That said she does have a memory foam doggie bed and her own duvet.

kylith

lulu1 wrote: »

He dosent cast hairs and just lies on top of the duvet at the bottom of the bed. Hope Tegan's op goes ok on Friday.

Lucky you! My pair only have to walk into a room and there's hair on the floor, all over the sofa, in your socks, behind the radiator, in the saucepans. You name it, I've probably found hair there!

Thanks, I'm sure she'll be grand. I'm more worried about her missing me than about the op itself.

SingItOut wrote: »

My terrier won't go near the bathroom at all and even does a runner when she sees anyone holding a towel

And yet they have no problem with puddles, or even wading in the canal. Nice clean warm water must be just awful :pac:

DeltaWhite

I have a mini yorkie call rosie and she sleeps in my bed every night!

Last night I had a fluffy hot water bottle at my back and when I woke up during the night, she was nestled on top of it sleeping soundly! She loves to be warm and HAS to be touching off your body when she sleeps in the bed ☺️ I have no problem with it.

My friend has a 7 month old Lab and he would be a no no for me simply because of his size and the amount of hair that they shed

chrysagon

My dog goes to ground with the mere mention of bathroom, when i do take her for her shower, i have to drag and lift 25kgs of dog into shower... any other room and she runs around like a maniac..

FlowerGarden

My bichon sleeps on the bed and although I do like having him there most of the time there are drawbacks. He regularly disturbs my sleep by wanting to go outside even when he has been let out last thing at night. Also if I'm away and he stays with my brother he is left in the sitting room with my brother's dog. The first time he barked and howled so much my brother spent most of the night down in the sitting room with him. Luckily I've a very understanding brother! On balance I wouldn't have started this habit if I knew then what I know now!

Dial Hard

I wouldn't co-sleep with children and I didn't co-sleep with the dogs. Three boxers wouldn't have left much room for people, the hair would drive me mad (it was bad enough trying to keep the downstairs de-haired) and having them in the room would have affected the spontaneity of our sex life. So, nope, in the sitting room with them, and everyone was happy.

SingItOut

[QUOTE=kylith;93936372
And yet they have no problem with puddles, or even wading in the canal. Nice clean warm water must be just awful :pac:[/QUOTE]

The absolute truth!

blackbird 49

How disgusting, dogs sleeping in your bed, wouldn't even let one in my house.no matter how clean you might keep them.

DBB

Blackbird49,
Having already made your views about how "disgusting" animals are in another thread here in the Animals and Pets forum, I have to ask myself (a) why someone who finds animals "disgusting" even reads this forum, and (b) why you felt the need to reawaken an old thread to once again tell us all, here in the Animals and Pets forum, how "disgusting" you find animals!
Enough of the soap boxing blackbird49, you've made your point, a point which I can only think is designed to irritate the bejayzus out of the animal lovers, here on the Animals and Pets forum. If animals disgust you, this is hardly the right forum for you.
In the interests of you not starting a fight here on a Saturday night, this thread is now closed.
Thanks,
DBB